About Me

My photo
Writing means different things to me. I'm a storyteller, a book editor, and a songwriter. For me, it's like breathing.

Monday, October 06, 2014

Monday Musings: AZ Sunset pics #3

100_1095

Beautiful colors and layers paint the sky.

 

100_1097

Sunset viewed through my Arizona desert plant.

 

100_1099

I like the dark clouds surrounding the orange-pink cloud.

 

100_1116

Soft orange-tinged clouds adorn this sunset.

 

100_1137

I like the contrasting dark red clouds that look threatening with the soft orange-tinged ones that look tranquil.

 

100_1141 

Ethereal.

 

100_1163

The dark clouds remind me of large wings.

 

100_1180

Very peaceful.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Saturday, October 04, 2014

Exquisite Quills!: Photo Interview: Kelley Heckart

Exquisite Quills!: Photo Interview: Kelley Heckart: EQ: Welcome to EQ! Tell us a little bit about yourself! Kelley: Thank you for having me at EQ. I am a multi-published author living...



Click on the link above to see the photos I shared with EQ.

Friday, October 03, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite song—Wheel in the Sky by Journey

This is one of my favorite songs because of the message in the lyrics. Time keeps turning and life goes on.

 

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Wednesday, October 01, 2014

Weird Word Wednesday

Ailurophile

ai·lu·ro·phile

noun \ī-ˈlu̇r-ə-ˌfī(-ə)l, ā-\

Definition of AILUROPHILE

:  a cat fancier :  a lover of cats

Origin of AILUROPHILE

Greek ailouros cat

First Known Use: 1914

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Welcome JoAnne Meyers to my blog, a gifted author, poet, and artist.

JoAnne will be giving away 2 print copies of one of her books to 2 lucky winners. All you have to do is leave a comment.

Poetry Cover (1)

“Poems About Life, Love, and Everything in Between” is a poetry collection that provides a glimpse into the heart, mind and soul, of its author JoAnne Myers. It is a heartwarming read, written with love and respect for others. Some poems were written in times of sorrow, other poems were written in times of joyous celebration. Life if like that.

Cliffside View

Painting by JoAnne, Cliffside View

SOULFUL THOUGHTS

My sun dried hands clutch my heart of dreams.

I look beyond my longing,

forsaking lustful means.

Consumed by sins of desires,

I escape insanity by releasing unblemished charms.

Soothing my sweet youthful soul,

I reject the lust, but still hold on.

Without dwelling on material things,

I release soulful thoughts within.

* * * *

Path To Heaven

Painting by JoAnne, Path to Heaven

LIFE’S PRECIOUS THINGS

Tears of a child, is a knife through the heart.

They try so hard, with all their might.

With tender minds and a soft touch,

their innocent love is never enough.

Through the years, and past the pain,

pride and hope is their greatest gain.

The smile of a child and the joy they bring,

is one of life’s most precious things.

* * * *

This collection of personal poems is available at http://outskirtspress.com/bookstore/1478734760.html.

These poems were inspired by JoAnne’s love for nature, God, veterans, family and friendships, it is a heartwarming read written with love and respect for others.

JoAnne will be awarding two winners a print copy of one of her unique and page turning books for commenting. The choices are: Poems About Life, Love, and Everything in Between, Murder Most Foul-a detective/mystery, Wicked Intentions-a paranormal anthology, or Loves, Myths, and Monsters-a fantasy anthology.

Soon available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble and other book distributors.

Up A Tree

Painting by JoAnne, Up a Tree

Author Bio:

I have been a long-time resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry most of my life. Besides having several novels under my belt, I canvas paint.

When not busy with hobbies or working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, my dog Jasmine, and volunteer my time within the community. I am a member of the International Women’s Writing Guild, Savvy Authors, Coffee Time Romance, Paranormal Romance Guild, True Romance Studios, National Writers Association, the Hocking Hill's Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. I believe in family values and following your dreams. My original canvas paintings, can be found at: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com

my photo apr 2011

Other books by Jo Anne:

"TWISTED LOVE," a true-crime anthology

"MURDER MOST FOUL" a detective/mystery anthology

"LOVES', MYTHS' AND MONSTERS'," a fantasy anthology

"THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY," a biography true-crime

“WICKED INTENTIONS” a paranormal anthology

“FLAGITIOUS,” a detective/mystery anthology available in September

Email: joannemyers@frontier.com

Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/joannemyers

Facebook Author Page: http://facebook.com/authorpage.joannemyers

Website: Books and Paintings by JoAnne

Monday, September 29, 2014

Monday Musings: AZ Cloud pics #3

100_1090

The clouds look painted across the sky.

 

100_1092

I like the different layers and colors.

 

100_1109

Floating above the palm tree.

 

100_1129

A distant thunderstorm and the sunset caused these brilliant, eerie red clouds.

 

100_1128 

This was caused by that same thunderstorm.

 

100_1139

I like the deep pinks and the darker blue sky in this shot.

 

100_1144

I like the different layers and the space with a jet stream cutting across the sky.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: Do supernatural creatures belong in a modern setti...

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: Do supernatural creatures belong in a modern setti...: When I think of vampires and other supernatural creatures, I picture them in time periods without electricity and other modern technology. I...

Friday, September 26, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite TV show—Hell on Wheels

One word to describe the AMC western Hell on Wheels is gritty. Based on the building of the railroad (right after the Civil War) across the Wild West, this western is not for the faint hearted. Someone dies on a regular basis and everyone is in need of a bath. Anson Mount who plays Cullen Bohannon, the lead character, is as bad as the real bad guys. I don’t think any character on this show is truly good, not even the female preacher. She has her own dark secret desires. If you want to watch a true-to-life western, then this is for you.

 

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Weird Word Wednesday

Aileron

ai·le·ron

noun \ˈā-lə-ˌrän\

: a part of an airplane wing that can be moved up or down to cause the airplane to turn

Full Definition of AILERON

:  a movable airfoil at the trailing edge of an airplane wing that is used for imparting a rolling motion especially in banking for turns — see airplane illustration

See aileron defined for English-language learners »

See aileron defined for kids »

Origin of AILERON

French, from diminutive of aile wing — more at aisle

First Known Use: 1909

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday, September 22, 2014

Monday Musings: Moon pics #3

100_1081

White luminescent glow against a stygian-black sky.

100_1105

Full moon peeking out from sun-painted clouds.

 

100_1110

This angle reveals more of the different cloud layers.

 

100_1120

The full moon looks huge hanging over this house.

 

100_1122

I like the detail I was able to capture in this full moon.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Friday, September 19, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite book: Confessions of a Pagan Nun

This is a beautifully written, stunning, heartbreaking story of a former pagan who becomes a nun in order to survive. The story takes place in Ireland around 500 AD when Ireland was on the cusp of Christianity. All alone in a hostile world, Gwynneve, a druid, has no choice but to keep her pagan beliefs to herself and become a nun where she copies the manuscripts of the church fathers and also records her own life story and the melodramatic events at the convent. This is the compelling story of a strong woman’s fight for survival and also a lesson in what happens when a new religion takes over. Highly recommended!

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Weird Word Wednesday

Ailanthus

ai·lan·thus

noun \ā-ˈlan(t)-thəs\

Definition of AILANTHUS

:  any of a small Asian genus (Ailanthus of the family Simaroubaceae, the ailanthus family) of chiefly tropical trees and shrubs with bitter bark, pinnate leaves, and terminal panicles of ill-scented greenish flowers; especially : tree of heaven

See ailanthus defined for kids »

Origin of AILANTHUS

New Latin, from Kamarian (Austronesian language of the Piru Bay region, Seram) ai lanito, literally, the sky tree, or from a cognate phrase in a related central Moluccan language

First Known Use: 1789

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday, September 15, 2014

Monday Musings: You are only as young as you feel

This month I turn 50. Yeah, I’ve been alive for 50 years. It feels much longer. I have mixed feelings about my birthday this year. Part of me is happy to have made it this far in life without too many mental or physical scars, and I’ve accomplished more than most people, but part of me is depressed that soon I will be entering the Crone phase of a woman’s life. There isn’t another phase after Crone. So, I was thinking about the positive things about turning 50.

I will become popular with AARP and will soon be receiving membership offers from them on a regular basis. I won’t have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy soon or the monthly inconvenience we females have to suffer. I have the senior discount to look forward to.

I do feel pretty good about myself these days. My health is okay, and I am able to manage my chronic medical condition. I think I may be in better shape than I was when I was much younger because I take care of myself now and don’t drink alcohol and party like I used to do. Maybe turning 50 won’t be so bad after all. I don’t focus much on my age anyway. If I don’t think about it, I won’t feel old. You are only as old as you feel and if you feel young, you are young.

 

DS_JuliaandKel

Then: Me (on the right) with my best friend Julia in the ‘90s.

 

kel author pic_book exchange 2012 larger image

Now: Book signing event at Book Exchange in Lake Havasu.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Friday, September 12, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite book: The Mabinogion by Evangeline Walton

This is a reinvention of the Welsh myths and not to be confused with an actual translation of the myths. What I really like about this version is Ms. Walton manages to bring the people and stories alive in a way not possible in a translation. She has turned The Mabinogion into a masterful work of fantasy fiction comparable to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Her poetic writing style resonated with me, her descriptions of ancient settings and rites made me feel as if I stepped into the pages. Highly recommended!

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Weird Word Wednesday

Aiguillette

ai·guil·lette

noun \ˌā-gwi-ˈlet\

Definition of AIGUILLETTE

: aglet; specifically :  a shoulder cord worn by designated military aides — compare fourragère

Origin of AIGUILLETTE

French — more at aglet

First Known Use: 1812

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday, September 08, 2014

Monday Musings: After the Monsoon

We have some pretty nasty, terrifying monsoon storms here in the Arizona desert each summer. We get a whole year’s worth of rain in a half hour, which makes driving dangerous. I am terrified to drive during a monsoon storm. I got lucky so far this year and only found myself out on the road once the storm had passed and dealt with a small amount of rain. But what happened was I forgot that because of the hot, dry weather, windshield wipers don’t last and need to be checked before the summer. Well, while out on the highway, I turned on my wipers only to have them get stuck in the middle of my windshield. Yikes. Anyway, despite the downside to summer storms, after these rainstorms pass, the air smells so clean and everything that was dry blooms.

 

100_1252

I don’t think I’ve ever seen this cactus bloom.

 

100_1253

A bee finds this bloom enticing.

 

100_1254

This plant was dry and looking dead before the rainstorm.

 

100_1256

In the wake of the storm: beautiful sun-painted clouds.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Friday, September 05, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite stone: Turquoise

Turquoise is a hydrous copper aluminum sulfate found in every color of blue, greenish blue or deep green. It has been prized by every culture, including Egypt, Persia, Tibet, and the Aztecs and Incas of South America. In the East and Far East, it was honored as a lucky stone and was given the nickname, ‘Turks’ stone. For the Indians of Mexico and Southwestern U.S., it was used to guard burial sites. Indian priests wore Turquoise in ceremonies when calling upon the great spirit of the sky. Turquoise manifests spiritual qualities, healing, friendship and love. It helps with communication and the 5th chakra, grounding.

 

 

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Wednesday, September 03, 2014

Guest Blog: Kelley Heckart: Research Isn't as Boring as I Thought!

Guest Blog: Kelley Heckart: Research Isn't as Boring as I Thought!

Weird Word Wednesday

Aiguille

ai·guille

noun \ā-ˈgwēl, -ˈgwē\

Definition of AIGUILLE

:  a sharp-pointed pinnacle of rock

Origin of AIGUILLE

French, literally, needle — more at aglet

First Known Use: 1809

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday, September 01, 2014

Monday Musings: AZ Monsoon Storm

100_1240

Nasty cloud bank.

 

100_1245

This was part of two nasty storms.

 

100_1247

The beauty of a storm.

 

100_1204

Coming at us.

 

100_1205

The storm clouds create a pretty sunset over the mountains.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Friday, August 29, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite book

Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

This is one of my favorite books based on the King Arthur legend. What I really like about it is the story is told from the point of views of the women in Arthur’s life, which gives us a different perspective. This is mostly a fantasy tale with magic, focusing on the mysterious Isle of Avalon. The Mists of Avalon's Camelot politics and intrigue take place at a time when Christianity is taking over the island-nation of Britain; Christianity vs. Faery, and God vs. Goddess are dominant themes. Highly recommended.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: The scary vampires are back

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: The scary vampires are back: I read The Strain and now I am watching the TV series based on the books. The premise behind The Strain is that vampirism is more like a vi...

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Weird Word Wednesday

Aigrette

ai·grette

noun \ā-ˈgret, ˈā-ˌ\

Definition of AIGRETTE

1

:  a spray of feathers (as of the egret) for the head

2

:  a spray of gems worn on a hat or in the hair

Origin of AIGRETTE

French, plume, egret, from Middle French — more at egret

First Known Use: 1630

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday, August 25, 2014

Monday Musings: Death amongst the beauty

On the morning I was driving home after watching my dog get euthanized, I couldn’t help noticing all the beauty in the world even though my dog had just died. Inside, my world was bleak and empty of any joy. Outside, the sun was shining and life was evident in the smiling people going about their day.

I thought maybe all that life and beauty was meant to taunt me. And then I realized that I wasn’t the only one that had just lost something precious to me. Every day people and other living things die, which means there are grieving people around at all times affected by death. And yet there is still beauty in the world even when death is present. The sun still shines, painting the sky in layers of light and dark shades of amber rose, the birds still sing as if unaware that death is present—a silent, grim shadow hidden amongst all the beauty…waiting.

While I was driving, this one thought rose to the surface: Maybe all the beauty is meant to help us move on, to be inspired to keep living.

100_1126

 

 

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Friday, August 22, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite TV Show
Almighty Johnsons
This is a new show on SyFy. At first I wasn’t sure about it, but I really like it. It’s funny. It’s about four brothers that are descended from Norse gods, but their powers are diminished. The youngest one just found out he is the human incarnation of Odin, which is a big deal. If he can’t complete his quest to find the goddess Frigg, Odin’s wife, then all of them will die. If he succeeds, then they will become the complete gods and get all of their powers back. The goddesses hate the gods and are trying to stop him. This is a New Zealand show so they all have sexy accents and there are funny jokes like: “Who the frig is Frigg?”



Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/CelticChick
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Weird Word Wednesday

Aiblins

ai·blins

adverb \ˈā-blənz\

Definition of AIBLINS

chiefly Scottish

: perhaps

Origin of AIBLINS

able + -lings, -lins -lings

First Known Use: circa 1605

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday, August 18, 2014

Monday Musings: Arizona cloud formation pics #2

100_1017
This one has a calming effect on me like I’m floating.
100_1023
This one looks like paint strokes on a canvass.
100_1024
I like the light and thicker layers plus the contrast with the palo verde branches that reach toward the sky.
100_1025
I like the light, wispy clouds hanging above the thicker clouds and the blue space between. Nature’s artwork.

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/CelticChick
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Friday, August 15, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite gemstone

Amethyst

The amethyst is a purple variety of quartz and the February birthstone. Ancient Romans and Greeks wore this stone to ward off intoxication. It is also a healing stone and used for healing the soul, body and mind. Amethysts hold the universal vibration and this enables the holder of the crystal to be connected to it, so this makes the amethyst a good meditation stone. I feel a connection to amethysts, possibly because of their properties or maybe because of their beauty.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Weird Word Wednesday

Agog

agog

adjective \ə-ˈgäg\

: full of interest or excitement because of something

Full Definition of AGOG

:  full of intense interest or excitement : eager <kids all agogover new toys>

See agog defined for English-language learners »

See agog defined for kids »

Examples of AGOG

1. The news has chemists agog.

2. Her supporters were agog at the idea.

3. The town is agog over the plan.

Origin of AGOG

Middle French en gogues in mirth

First Known Use: 1559

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday, August 11, 2014

Monday Musings: Mountains in Arizona pics

100_1028

This was taken at the archery range where I go with my friend to shoot at targets. I love being outside in a place with no other people. It’s so quiet, except when gun shots go off at the nearby gun range. I see lizards running around, and we are usually bothered by a pesky fly that won’t leave us alone. Haven’t seen any rattlesnakes yet. Don’t really want to unless it’s far away from me.

100_1029

This is Cupcake Mountain. This picture was also taken at the archery range.

Friday, August 08, 2014

Favorite Friday

Favorite Show—Witches of East End

Yes, I do like my witch shows. This one is dark. I really like how they have linked the witches to Asgard and the Norse gods. Long ago these witches came through a portal to escape their hateful father, the king. They escaped his wrath but ended up cursed. The witches have different magical powers to aid them, but magic can’t solve everything. This season they have to defend themselves against something that came through the portal. And for the ladies, there are some hot guys in this show.

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Wednesday, August 06, 2014

Weird Word Wednesday

Agita

ag·i·ta

noun \ˈa-jə-tə\

Definition of AGITA

:  a feeling of agitation or anxiety

Examples of AGITA

1. <took a deep breath to dispel her agita as she stepped onstage>

Origin of AGITA

S Italian dialect pronunc. of Italian acido, literally, heartburn, acid, from Latin acidus

First Known Use: 1982

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday, August 04, 2014

Monday Musings: Losing a pet is never easy

On July 15, 2014 we lost our older male dog. This isn’t the first dog we’ve lost and won’t be the last, but it’s never easy to lose a pet. I don’t understand how these creatures worm their way into our hearts. I mean, they are only animals, right? They aren’t human. And I think that is the answer—they are not human. They give us what a human cannot—unconditional love and constant companionship. So we love them differently and we mourn them differently. I always worry that I didn’t do the right thing for them. They can’t tell me what hurts them or what they want, so I have to guess. This time I think I guessed it right. This gives me some comfort, but losing a pet that is a constant in your life is heartbreaking, no matter how you lose them.
Hercules wasn’t like any other dog. He was a chi-weenie, so he was part dachshund—a hound. Hound dogs lead with their nose and prefer to be out sniffing things. Herc didn’t care if he pleased his masters. He did his own thing. So when he was always at my side, I knew he was there because he wanted to be there. We tried a training technique on him once. The idea behind this technique was that dogs don’t like to be shunned by the pack, so they won’t repeat whatever they did to get them shunned. This technique worked great on our other, people-pleasing, dog, but not on Herc. When it came time for him to be let outside and shunned for 15 minutes, he didn’t care. He just went about exploring the yard with his hound nose. And that made me love him more.
In the end he lived up to his sturdy name, fighting for his life as long as he could, and then I told him it was okay to stop fighting. Farewell, my sweet boy, I sure hope we meet again.
RIP Hercules
1998-2014
DCP_0005
100_1194
A few of his many nicknames throughout the years: Monkey Butt, Stinky Man, Peanut, Mouse, Mr. Grumpy Jeans, The Badger, Old Man.
Herc_1998_907202014
One of the first pics I took of him as a puppy.
Herc_1998_407202014
He always thought he was a bigger dog.
Herc_1998_707202014
Hunting in the grass in CA.
Herc_1998_807202014
1998 or 99 in CA. Happier times.
000_0001
Can you believe he was red-flagged at the vet? LOL
My Pictures0011
This is one of my favorite pics of him playing with his sister. Devil Dog!
100_0904
Even as an old man he still had some fire.
100_0915
His favorite place was on my bed right next to me.
100_0847
Patrolling his yard.
100_0908
Hanging out with Loki.










Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/CelticChick
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604